The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-12-09

THAT'S the mother-part of me. I" sale
Jack. as she .'settled" the chairs ant
furniture with . toAeh that only a wo
man has.
Then she came and sat down on ,
foot-stool beside him. and. clasping he
knee with both hands. looked up witt
smiling audacity, saying: YOU'D bet
ter let me stay awhile. uncle; you'd bt
a great deal more comfortable.
There was deep anxiety beneath the
merry exterior. for she knew well how
vital her uncle's favor was. Her mother
was too delicate. her sisters too fine
ladies to work. and the child (she was
not much more. i'm spite of her seven.
teen years.) felt as though the bur.
den of the family rested on her shout.
ders.
Her uncle was very wealthy. and il
he only could be brought to forgive
her mother what happy days they
would see!
He had sent once for her two sisters
to spend week at Glenside-a step to-
ward reconciliation, which her mother
had hailed with thankful joy. But be-
fore the week was out he sent them
both home. saying he couldn't stand
their fine airs; that, since his sister had
chosen to bring up her family to such
idle habits, he would have nothing
more to do with them.
The ono longing of the old mans
heart had been for son to bear his
name. That hope disappointed in the
early death of his son. he had gradually
grown into the selfish. gloomy man
Jack found him this fair spring morning.
There was somcth ng in her bright,
boyish face that fascinated him; and
now. with warmth that surprised
himself. he said: "Stay if you like. my
child. It's a dull place within doors;
bnt there are flowers and sunshine"
1t was so much kinder than Jack had
dared hope that she could have cried
for JOY.
''Oh. you dear uncle!" she said; and
kissed his wrinkled old face with an
honest heartincss that he was quick to
feel.
''Therc. then," he said. impatiently.
as if ashamed of the onwonted soft
ness he had shown. $50 and tell cook
you're going to stay. and that she must
give you room and see to your meals
Do not be afraid if she's cross" he
added. somewhat anxiously; "she does
not like trouble or work.
81 won't" said Jack, as she ran off.
Half an hour later she looked in the
door again, saying: 'Come to lunch,
Uncle Robert. Yes" Gas he stared at
her in amazemenD. 81 know cook al
ways brought you just What she liked
up here because she did not want you
down stairs. There has been skir-
mish. bua it's all right now. Come for
my sake, please. y
Mr.. Doran drew his dressing-gown
more closely around him. and followed
Jack down into the small breakfast
room. which she had chosen because it
was so much pleasanter than the great
oak-wainscoa.el dining-room.
A most tempting lunch was spread
upon the round table, and flowers were
with the dishes in profus-
ion. 1t was was pretty to see the air
with which she led her uncle to his
place. then took her own opposite him.
almost forgctting-in her eagerness to
serve him-to satisfy the demands of
her own healthy young appetite.
s'Did cook do all this?" Mr.. Dorau
asked. with some curiosity.
NO" replied Jack, blushing. "She
wanted to take you up some smoky
soup, and because l said no. she
wouldn't do any thing else. so l did it
myself. Don't you like it ALP" and
she looked anxiously ut him.
You are not like your sisters" he
said. not replying to her question.
''Oh. noH' and Jack shook her head
deiectedly. They are very
accomplishcd-real young ladies, you
know. But. then. l can cook and
sweep. and do things that they can't"
"But do not want a cook and a
said Mr.. Doran.
81 think you do" laughed Jack. "If
you had only tasted the soup!'
"Child!" cried Mr.. Doran. suddenly
catching at her hand. I'm a disap-
pointed. heart-broken old man. If you
could only love me a little"
Il do. Uncle Robert; l do, trulyr
said Jack.
And she meant it; for her warm heart
had gone out Mt once to the lonely old
man. so unhappy in the midst of his
and she comforted him now. in
the best way she knew. with loving
words that. skeptic as he was. he felt
were honest and true.
Il fear master DC a-goin' to die; he
wor never SO scntle aforc," said cook,
a week later.
That very night Mr.. Doran was Ia
ken suddenly and violently i'll. Jack
heard his groans. and fastening to his
found him suffering in
''You must go for the doctor.
cook; there's no one else to CO." said
Jack.
Indeed I'll not, replied cook. de-
cisivcly. ''He's been none so good a
master to me that should risk myself |
in the dark for him."
Then watch him while l CO." inn
plored Jack. do not leave him or he'll |
lie"
She had been down to the village |